Membership Drive Timing & The DNC

Some listeners have contacted us today with concerns about the timing of our mini-membership drive. Their main concern is that we may be pre-empting news and updates coming out of the Democratic National Convention in favor of on-air fundraising.

These are good questions and we are happy to address them:

• The Democratic National Convention had no bearing on the timing of this short membership drive.
• Although we did pre-empt one convention story this morning, in general, we are not "covering up" convention coverage with fundraising messaging during this drive.
• In addition to coverage during Morning Edition and All Things Considered, we’re airing an uninterrupted hour of On Point at 10 a.m., which is airing live from the DNC, and of course stories throughout the day on the BBC NewsHour, Here And Now, and other programs.
• Tonight (Thursday) beginning at 8 p.m., you'll hear live coverage of the DNC without interruption, including President Obama’s speech accepting the Democratic nomination for President.
• As a statewide organization dedicated to public service, VPR is deeply rooted in the communities we serve. Over the last several years, we’ve been taking our mission a step further by bringing listeners together during membership drives to support organizations that help improve the quality of life in Vermont - while raising the money to support the programming you count on, including election coverage.
• While there’s not necessarily an ideal time for a membership drive, we determined that early September was an appropriate time to hold a short membership drive to help Hunger Free Vermont because it is Hunger Action Month. With 90,000 food insecure people living in Vermont, it's an issue to which we wanted to call attention and give listeners the opportunity to something to help.
• The drive will end this Saturday at noon.

Despite these facts and assurances, we recognize that listeners may perceive the drive as interrupting convention coverage. Keeping our listeners' trust is of utmost importance to us, and we don’t discount the impact of those perceptions.

As a result, on Friday during Morning Edition we will not air long pledge drive breaks. Instead, on VPR you will hear Mitch Wertlieb reminding listeners about our special mini-drive, but the focus of the morning will be bringing you the latest news from the convention floor, the President’s address, and recap of the week’s events in Charlotte in addition to our regular newscasts.

After Morning Edition, we plan on resuming our appeals for support, not only for VPR but for our partner, Hunger Free Vermont. We know that membership drives are not a listener favorite, however, they are the most effective tool we have to ensure that VPR remains financially on track and able to bring you the quality of programming that you have come to expect and rely upon.

Thanks again for listening, and as always, thanks for your feedback. We value all of the ways that you support VPR, whether it’s through your financial support, volunteer time, and you’re your feedback!

Sincerely,

Brendan Kinney
Vice President of Development & Marketing

Broccoli Salad Recipe From The Learning Kitchen

VPR’s mini membership drive is underway! With every pledge to VPR received by noon on Saturday, September 8, the Vermont Community Foundation will donate a bag of groceries to Hunger Free Vermont’s Learning Kitchen Program.

In The Learning Kitchen, low-income Vermonters learn to make healthy food choices through cooking classes taught throughout the state. After learning to prepare a meal in class, participants take home a grocery bag that includes all of the ingredients to recreate the meal at home with their families. For a taste (literally!) of what they do, here’s a recipe from the program for broccoli salad!



Your one-time gift or sustaining membership pledge during this short, three-day fundraiser pays for VPR programming and you’ll provide a valuable nutrition lesson to a neighbor in need. Thank you!

What’s your favorite cost-effective, healthy recipe? Let us know in the comments below!

State Of The Re:Union Returns To VPR!

State of the Re:Union is coming back to the VPR Saturday Special. For the next ten weeks, enjoy new episodes with host Al Letson.

Courtesy of State of the Re:Union

For those of us who can't travel to all corners of the country, State of the Re:Union is a welcome addition to the Saturday Special line-up. It's a show dedicated to digging deep into communities to find out what makes them tick. State of the Re:Union looks for the common history that ties people together and gives voice to those who are experiencing a common problem that's both unique to the place and universal to the human experience.

These new episodes will take us to Baltimore, the Ozarks, and Tucson--just to name a few! We'll revisit the State of the Re:Union episode on Vermont, and we'll also hear something new: an episode dedicated not to a physical place, but a group of people whose members exist everywhere: comic book fans! We'll also hear an entire episode dedicated to the strange, fascinating ways the Internet creates communities.

Listen Saturdays at 4 on VPR and let us know what you think!

Learn more about State of the Re:Union.

First Gubernatorial Debate of the Season

The first governor’s debate of the fall election campaign will take place on Wednesday, September 12 at 7 p.m. on Vermont Public Radio.

The major party candidates, incumbent Peter Shumlin (D) and challenger Randy Brock (R) will meet in a 90-minute debate moderated by VPR’s Bob Kinzel and Jane Lindholm.

You can play an important role in the upcoming debate by asking questions to help you decide who to vote for in November. Listeners can call in and record a question for the candidates that we may include on the air during the debate. To record your question, call (802) 552-3425.

There are number of other ways to submit your questions for the debate:

• Call (802) 552-3425
• Email:  vermontedition@vpr.net
• Tweet: @vermontedition
• Facebook: Facebook.com/vermontedition

Mark you calendar and tune-in for the VPR gubernatorial debate: Wednesday, September 12 7-8:30 p.m.

For more on VPR's debate policy, click here.

We 'Like' You Too!

While many of our listeners make a pledge during the membership drive or like us on Facebook just because we ask, let's face it, there's nothing like the phrase "you'll be entered to win" to encourage you to do something you were thinking about doing anyway. That's why we are grateful to the businesses that offer their services, products, and gift certificates as prizes during our membership drives and other contests!

We want to thank the following businesses for contributing prizes to our August Facebook contest - 'like' doesn't begin to describe how we feel about these VPR supporting businesses and all of our new Facebook fans! Congratulations to all the prize winners!

KeyBank donated our grand prize: a $500 KeyPossibilites Master Card gift card.

Kiss the Cook, a locally-owned kitchen and gift shop on Church Street in Burlington, offered a Le Creuset gift package, including a French oven and utensils.

Dear Lucy, a shoe and hand bag shop on Church Street in Burlington, provided a $200 gift card.

Hunger Mountain Co-op, a community-owned natural market in Montpelier, contributed a $200 gift card.

The Perfect Wife Restaurant in Manchester is treating four people to experience Amy Chamberlain's freestyle cuisine.

Three-Day Pledge Drive Will Fight Hunger And Promote Nutrition Education

As a statewide organization dedicated to public service, VPR is deeply rooted in the communities we serve. Over the last several years, we’ve been taking our mission a step further by bringing listeners together during membership drives to support organizations that help improve the quality of life in Vermont - while raising the money to support the programming you count on.

We’re proud to announce another community partnership for our “mini” membership drive next week: For every pledge VPR receives through noon on September 8, the Vermont Community Foundation will donate a bag of groceries to Hunger Free Vermont's Learning Kitchen program.

Hunger Free Vermont is a statewide organization with the mission to end hunger and malnutrition for all Vermonters. The Learning Kitchen program empowers low-income Vermonters to make healthy food choices through classes taught in schools and community centers throughout the state. After learning to prepare (and enjoying!) a meal in class, participants take home a grocery bag that includes all of the ingredients to recreate the meal at home with their families. The Learning Kitchen enhances community health and self-sufficiency by enabling parents and children to develop the practical skills necessary to establish life-long healthy eating habits.

The Vermont Community Foundation fosters philanthropy in Vermont by helping individuals, organizations, and businesses put their values and their spirit of giving to work in the state. 


We are grateful to our partners Hunger Free Vermont and the Vermont Community Foundation who have joined with us in the unique partnership!

Now it’s up to you.

Your pledge during this short, three-day fundraiser benefits you, VPR, and our community. Of course, you don’t have to wait to make your pledge – your pledge online today will support VPR and Hunger Free Vermont.

Thanks so much!

The VPR Picnic: Save the Date... and Volunteer!

This year’s VPR Listener Picnic is going to be Saturday, September 29 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Vermont Agricultural Business Education Center (known locally as “the Famolare place”) in Brattleboro. Our special guest is Lynne Rossetto Kasper of The Splendid Table who’ll be playing Stump the Cook with us. There will be lots of Vermont foods, live music and of course, your favorite VPR hosts! Picnic goes on rain or shine. Check back soon for more details!

Also, volunteers are needed to help with the picnic. Lunch will be provided, and you’ll get to take home a VPR mug as a souvenir. Please contact Ty Robertson to sign up by emailing trobertson@vpr.net